Enhanced photocatalytic and SERS performance of Ag nanoparticles functionalized MoS nanoflakes.

We report the preparation of Ag nanoparticles functionalized MoS nanoflakes by using the chemical reduction method followed by the hydrothermal method. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and elemental mapping reveals the uniform functionalization of Ag nanoparticles with MoS nanoflakes. High density of Ag plasmonic nanoparticles onto MoS nanoflakes demonstrates tremendously improved charge separation behavior in Ag-MoS nanohybrids. Photodecomposition capability of plasmonic Ag-MoS nanohybrids was explored by the decomposition of industrial pollutant molecules, showing a direct correlation between the Ag content over the MoS surface with their photodecomposition ability. The SERS-based detection profiles of the plasmonic were investigated by the ultra-low detection of MB molecules. The Ag-MoS nanohybrids SERS substrate manifests the detection of MB molecules solution up to a concentration of 10 M with an enhancement factor of 10. In the current study, we proposed and elucidated the probable efficient charge transfer mechanism for improved photocatalytic behavior and SERS-based sensing performance.